Red Meat Exports Start the Year with Positive Figures

Exports of red meat products from the UK got off
to a strong start this year – with the total value of beef, lamb and
pork rising above the £487 million mark.

According to the latest figures from HMRC shipments of red meat
increased to more than 183,000 tonnes from January to May – up
seven per cent compared to the same period last year.

The strongest performer was fresh and frozen beef, with exports
rising 18 per cent in value – with the lion’s share destined for
Ireland, the Netherlands and France, worth more than £120 million
combined.

Pork exports rose three per cent in value, despite a small dip
in volume – with China remaining the key market for UK pig meat
exports, accounting for 22 per cent of the total volume.

Despite a slight fall in volume, exports of sheep meat rose nearly
one per cent in value to £145 million, driven by high lamb prices.
France remains the UK’s biggest market for sheep exports, worth
£61 million this year. The average value per tonne of sheep meat
exports in the year to May has risen ten per cent on year-earlier
levels.

“Also, demand for pig meat in China has slowed this year, which has
created a tough environment for our exports but we continue to work
hard to maintain our presence in this all-important market.

“2018 has seen AHDB exports working in a number of international markets
to ensure that we showcase high-quality beef, lamb and pork products
to global importers in existing and new markets. Further, the UK has
been successful in gaining recent approval for exports to Philippines
and Saudi Arabia, gaining wider pork access and the lifting of the
beef ban in China.”